Nando Diver

Also DavidNewman already explain the Flat or Gplog use. GPLog and Log-base 400 For GoPro users they are not exposing for a classic grey point. The exposure logic in the camera is the same for all color profiles, where ISO 100 is the best dynamic range. My guess, the system exposure is basically a expose to the right system, the brightest reflected objects (white clouds) are set to be near the clipping point, so your dynamic range is in the shadows. The linear light data is then encoded with a curve. For Natural and Vibrant color profiles, that would be a gamma curve, plus global and local tone-mapping, and a lot of GoPro magic look stuff (I don't know the math for.) For Flat color, the GTM and LTM are off, and the curve is Log-base 113. This was development for HERO3 as a optimized encoding curve to preserve the most dynamic range for those sensors. The curve was designed for film and television production for which GoPro was being used extensively for crash cams. Flat using Rec709 color primaries, unless you are using Labs with WIDE=1 (note: the very first HERO2 Protune Flat 24p, use native color for the film projects of the day.) Flat also as a lifted grey point, but again for GoPro, middle grey is not technically important for encoding the best dynamic range. But Flat with a EV at -1 or (-0.5) often produces a nice result with limited or no color correction. GPLog is log-base 400, but otherwise pretty much the same as Flat, no GTM/LTM, but with a wide gamut as the default. The enhanced shadows can maybe get you half a stop more dynamic a range than Flat with today sensors. GPLog was partly to address a user misunderstanding that they already had a Log profile. Back in 2012 when Flat was designed, no consumer camera had a named "Log" profile, and users likely didn't want math terms (I guess.) GoPro was either the first (or very near) consumer camera to have a standard log profile (just called Flat.) Move ahead 10-years, nearly all cameras have a "X-log" naming scheme, so GoPro added a new one, GPLog. You technically don't need as much flatness to the look at log-base 400, but that is now a user expectation. Also other camera systems typically have a lifted black level, adding to the flatten look, but I do not know why these codewords are wasted. All 0-1023 codes are used for image signal in GoPro camera, many others only use 128-960/1023 in their log profiles (maybe a Cineon inspired throwback.) Flat at 113 is perfect for 8-bit, GPLog 400 is optimized for 10-bit, both are full range encoding. GPLog has room to grow. source: https://github.com/gopro/labs/discussions/1217

Nice Tutorial But Gopro Flat color profile doesn’t have any LTM (Local Tone Mapping) or GTM (Global Tone Mapping) applied. In My opinion Flat profile is much more challenging to color Grade. A note about Flat Color vs Natural ColorLTM/GTM not Present in Flat Color Flat color profile doesn’t have any of GoPro’s LTM or GTM applied. LTM being Local Tone Mapping, which is a process that enhances the contrast between objects across the whole image (think clarity filter in Lightroom). GTM is Global Tone Mapping, which is a means of boosting shadows and bringing down highlights. The picture in Natural Color has been redesigned from the ground up and actually starts with a very underexposed image so that it can do a very good job retaining highlights once GTM is applied under the hood. If you compare Natural against Flat, you likely won’t be able to get the same amount of highlight saving even after rigorous color correction. This brings me to my second note: Dynamic Range With Flat Color Profile After extensive testing, I haven’t been able to reproduce quite the same amount of dynamic range when shooting Flat Color as I’m able to get with Natural Color. This is due to the GTM process in the image pipeline that happens under the hood as a sort of faux HDR process. This isn’t to say you can’t shoot in Flat Profile, but a watch-out if you want to get the most range out of the box. It’s also a testament to the advanced algorithms found in HERO11. Custom Log Curves with Labs For those interested in digging a little deeper, HERO11 and Mini offer the ability to load custom log curves when shooting Flat Color using GoPro Labs. Flat Color is in-fact a type of log curve, but if you wish to match log curves from other camera sources, you can load those onto the camera. Something to note is that loading a flatter log profile won’t get you more dynamic range out of the camera, it will just change around how the shadows and highlights are displayed. Good news is that 10-Bit color helps quite a bit when shooting in Flat color since the gradations in colors are so similar. source: https://abekislevitz.com/hero11-video-settings-guide/

Gopro 14 is around the corner september 2025 Regarding gopro 13 vs Insta360 see for yourself the raw footage between the 3 actions cameras. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/h46fiofwksw4f9hah6vvo/AKLrcTauOiYg5bHwZb0tibQ?rlkey=isblpfn5bosd7vhbiexugfgpq&e=1&st=2gr6iu23&dl=0 source: Chris Rogers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1OwhtjaPVI Ps: dont forget GoPro has the GoPro labs firmware to squeeze all the juice from the action camera for underwater. https://gopro.github.io/labs/

Got a reply Its paid on boardon arrival..in cash…860$…5 days park fee..

Matthias Lebo shared a video with divevolk + AOI UWL-O3 lens Its required M52mm adapter for the wet lens + M67 to M52 adapter to attached it. The results on iPhone 16 pro max looks very encouraging, no distortion and no blurriness

thanks what about park fees, ive read some liveaboard companies are supporting park fees (172$ day) for 2025, but no word for 2026/27 Are the park fees paid in Mexico when we join ?

Its ok to take gopro13 (400€) + wet lens (200€) + 2 dive lights (600€) and get taxed 16% ?? its almost 200€ in tax

Iphone 15 pro max backmagic camera VS Samsung s24 ultra with Motioncam

Take a look on discord group about your samsung s24 whats is currently supported. https://discord.gg/2XeqnBWF this is their youtube channel, they are very active. https://www.youtube.com/@MotionCam

Actually ive being following the Motioncam discord group, ive made some request to developers like add Presets The "big feature of motioncam" is to record to Raw bypassing all the manufacturer implementation. At the moment i would approach with caution while using MotionCam for underwater, unless your android smartphone support all cameras sizes without frames drop or overheating out of the box, because due the fragmentation of android hardware some smartphone need to unlock the bootloader. The interface of motioncam is also not friendly at all for underwater. Since im more iPhone user, my latest experimental was with UWACAM, really nice app specifically made for underwater use, supporting in video Prores422 HQ up to 240FPS, color space P3-D65, apple log, rec2020 and LUTs In pictures it support Apple ProRAW up to 16BIT

Beta program for the Osmo action 5

@TropicLeslie I have a question I see you have a video coming about alternative lens for the divevolk, im looking for a glass (was recommended) wet lens for iPhone 16pro/divevolk, and i really want to avoid the corner distortion. Do you think the stock divevolk lens is good enough, or it's better to get some m67 glass lens ?

Who ever uses stock firmware in the Gopro 13 black, theres a new firmware V.200 with underwater improvement of white balance capture..

New weefine wide wet lens specifically for smartphones WEEFINE WFL 16 Lens contruction - 2 elements e groups (1gp1) Magnification 0.72x Compatible camera sensor size 13.2mm x 8.8mm Compatible lens 24mm (35mm equivalent ) F/1.5 Dome lens Optical grade Polycarbonate resin Glass/coating - optical glass / Multi-layer BBAR coating Mounting M67 Depth rating 60m

@CaolIla Thanks, really interesting My travel agent works with emperor and i was looking for the offers I wonder if 14 days worth it, or 7 days is enough I have an eye of the Southern Shark Adventure and im also looking for the full moon and new moon to avoid high/low tides and stong currents The 14 days seems tempting.

Whats the Best time of the year for Maldives Liveaboard ? North or South ? Big pelagic, Whale shark, manta rays etc.

Today one of the divers in my group had the new Weefine WFH07 smart housing with iPhone 16 Pro. Looks nice and well built, it uses dedicated DiveIT App. It support RAW picture, 4K120fps video, HDR and ProRes It also has built-in electric drive air pump. But in my opinion the big selling point is the possibility to use strobes and connect optical cable to the weefine housing that match the iPhone Photo DiveIT app.

My advice to your gopro 11 Install FW pro labs gopro Permanent QR code for WB lock in specific profile (it locks WB 1 second after start recording) Permanent QR CODE for Bitrate up to 170MBs 8:7 Aspect ratio.. this will give you the best flexibility for 16:9 or 9:16 10bit 4K If you intent to edit your filming, match your gopro 11 with GP-LOG from the 12 https://github.com/gopro/labs/discussions/684

Ive being following very close the dji forum about OA5 Pro on the last 3 months and is not finished product, the camera have the same bugs since the launch date and users are being used has beta testers. Youtube reviewers & some influencers dont properly test the camera or they are paid to do it. Theres some exceptions like this guy on the video Chris Rogers & also DCRainmaker (this one i follow for years) With gopro 11 you can maximize the camera Potencial using the firmware gopro labs, increase bitrate, lock white balance or use 8:7 aspect ratio. I dont like filters and i dont recommend them, lights underwater makes all the difference. AOI lens are cheaper Backscatter lens has possibility to use red filter, but the distance between the lens and camera you will get vignette. AOI & INON lens are specifically made for gopro and dont have any of distortion. The larger FOV from OA5 PRO + wide lens still have distortion on corner/sides. show me some YouTube links from your buddy divers that are posting good unedited videos about OA5PRO underwater...im curious to see it. 😃

The New update for the Blackmagic camera app allow the Iphone 16 pro/max to film in Apple Pro Res HQ up to 4K120 FPS directly to the Smartphone (versions 256gb/500gb or 1TB ) .

The best feature of divevolk is the ability to use full touchscreen on smartphone. In Boot Dusseldorf 2025 they present an external bluetooth trigger/shutter, and they have a new Glass lens for macro (Diopter +18). Divevolk focus of their products is for smartphone use. For Mirrorless or DSLR the Easydive they built universal Housing with lifetime warranty. Over the years you only upgrade to any camera brand in the world and keep the housing.

Underwater Video & Photography competitions (at least in my country) have good sponsorship from government to promote marine life, tourism, environment, and its common the presence of Regional and National television broadcast. Last couple years attracted huge number of international filmmakers and photographers. The price is a steal example for 2025 : 420€ per person Hotel 4 stars for 8 days all inclusive in 2x island Paradises Free transfers airport hotel Free transfers hotel to diving sites Free Ferry transfer to another island. 8 x dives with nitrox (4 days) Water temp 22C to 24C Not included: flights Training sessions 30€ each (nitrox) Anyone with action camera/smartphone can participate in that specific category. Financially is very attractive. Had my first experience last year, and im going again in 2025. This year has big bonus, that is diving in two separate islands (Madeira & Porto Santo) I attach the program in Portuguese ( this its very recent) , but you can use this contact page to get the English version. https://www.instagram.com/madeiraunderwater/ https://www.madeiraunderwater.com/info/contato/ IV Madeira Underwater Photo and Video Open_2025.pdf

@Cutbacks_Ericeira it seems the seafrog uses bluetooth to control de stock camera app... the divevolk is complete touchscreen +50€ https://www.aditech-uw.com/downloads/sf-ph-01-pro-control.jpg

True, their lens are acrylic, quality is very low. Regarding the SSD + Divevolk case, theres a model LEXAR GO and would fit inside the divevolk + iPhone 16 pro, but is not recommended by divevolk to use underwater, this is what they reply to me. Small ssd are good options to save large video files while on vacations. Regarding the Iphone 16 pro or pro MAX, the blackmagic camera app will film up to 4K 120fps.

Ive dig a little more into MotionCam discord and its seems the App is going in right direction with RAW output very fragmented android market doesn't help. Not all lens available in the smartphone work with the app Not all available resolutions are available in the app, especially 4K60 Not all Android versions give the same access to the app Not all smartphone manufacturers give API access to the app Some smartphone need to have customised android version RAW output is very task intensive. The developers seem to be very knowledgeable in what they doing but im same cases their hands are tied due the reasons above. So ive turn my attention to the Iphone 16 Pro and 16 Pro max The Blackmagic camera seems to be the best app for filming and now it's possible to choose different type of bitrate. For HEVC (H.265) the max bitrate is 81Mps in 4K60 For Apple ProRes 422HQ 4K60 the minimal write speed is 220Mbps For Apple ProRes 422 HQ 4K120 the minimal write speed is 440Mbps Apple ProRes 422 HQ: A higher-data-rate version of Apple ProRes 422 that preserves visual quality at the same high level as Apple ProRes 4444, but for 4:2:2 image sources. With widespread adoption across the video post‑production industry, Apple ProRes 422 HQ offers visually lossless preservation of the highest-quality professional HD video that a single link HD-SDI signal can carry. This codec supports full-width, 4:2:2 video sources at 10-bit pixel depths, while remaining visually lossless through many generations of decoding and re-encoding. The target data rate of Apple ProRes 422 HQ is approximately 220 Mbps at 1920 x 1080 and 29.97 fps. With the new Iphone 15 pro e 16 pro & Max its possible to film 4K60 using HEVC format, for ProRes 422 HQ format 4K60 is possible only with blackmagic camera app, the stock camera app dont work Only the Iphone 16 pro & Max support 4K120 ProRes 422 HQ and is required a specific SSD attached. Scrolling through Reedit it seem lot of filmmakers are using Smartphones with External SSD attached.. For us Underwater divers, at the moment, i think theres a solution that requires the following for 4K120 in ProRes 422 HQ Iphone 16 pro (256gb, 512gb, 1TB) Divevolk Max Plus Lexar Go Portable SSD 1TB or 2TB Print customs case The iPhone 15 pro size is 14.6cm The iPhone 16 pro size is 14.9cm The lexar GO is 2.5cm total size iPhone + lexar is 17.5cm The divevolk cases are 18cm